Written by: Robyn Shulman, Follow me on Google

The Priority List was written by David Menasche; he is a former high school teacher who made a lasting difference in the classroom—even when the odds were not in his favor.

Do you have a priority list?
David Menasche does.

When we reflect on our school years, the strongest memories rarely revolve around tests, formulas, or lists of vocabulary. Instead, we tend to remember the people who truly saw us: teachers who listened, trusted, encouraged, and spent the extra five minutes to help us believe in ourselves. Those connections — between teacher and student, student to student — are what make school meaningful. They shape who we become far more than any single lesson plan.

Ask yourself: how much of the academic detail from elementary or high school do you still recall? The mechanics of diagramming a sentence or the exact vocabulary from a standardized test probably faded long ago. What endures are the relationships and moments of encouragement that gave school its purpose. That human connection is what every student remembers and what every effective teacher strives to provide.

The Priority List: A Teacher’s Final Quest to Discover Life’s Greatest Lessons

Meet David Menasche, a high school teacher who devoted his career to his students and continued to teach through extraordinary personal challenges. After a diagnosis of a brain tumor, David suffered substantial vision loss and faces ongoing physical obstacles. Still, he chose to respond with courage, compassion, and purpose. Rather than withdrawing, he set out on a journey to reconnect with the students who had mattered most to him.

David chronicled that journey in his book, The Priority List. In it, he travels across the country visiting former students to learn how their lives unfolded and to reaffirm the bonds formed in the classroom. The story is not just a record of reunions; it’s a powerful reminder of how much influence a caring teacher can have, and how those small daily acts of attention can echo through a lifetime.

David Menasche was recently featured on CNN discussing his journey and his book, The Priority List.

Watching his interviews or reading his book, you quickly understand why his story resonates so deeply. Each chapter offers moments of humor, honesty, heartbreak, and hope. The narrative emphasizes the importance of being present for students, of listening with empathy, and of prioritizing human connection over the endless stream of tasks and metrics that often dominate education discussions.

I found myself moved to tears at the end of many chapters. David’s willingness to travel despite limited vision and physical pain, and his determination to visit former students, illustrate a rare kind of bravery. His travels remind educators and parents that the work of teaching is fundamentally relational. Even as technology reshapes classrooms and online learning expands, the emotional core of education—compassion, mentorship, and connection—remains irreplaceable.

If you read one book this year about teaching, relationships, or the impact of kindness, this is a strong candidate. Share it with colleagues, staff, and students. The Priority List encourages educators to lead with empathy, to prioritize listening over speaking, and to model courage and grace for the young people they serve. It challenges us to let go of fear of the unknown and to focus on what matters most: the people in our care.

David’s story is a call to action for everyone in education: make time for students, invest in relationships, and remember that your presence and your faith in them can change lives. These lessons are essential for teachers, administrators, parents, and anyone who works with young people.

Updates about David Menasche and his continued work can be found on his Facebook page under his name. His experience and his book are powerful reminders that nobody lives forever—so what is on your priority list?

Consider reflecting on your own priorities today. Are you making time for the relationships that matter? Are you modeling the compassion and attention you hope others will offer? David Menasche’s journey shows that even in the face of adversity, choosing people over paperwork, presence over perfection, and kindness over convenience yields the most meaningful outcomes.